Rupert again beats Dangote to Africa’s richest man title after a 13-year run on Bloomberg list
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Johann Rupert, 74, the South African luxury goods mogul, has again reclaimed the title of the continent’s richest man from Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote, 67, no thanks to weakened naira on the foreign exchange (forex) market, according to the latest data from the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
Rupert controls several global luxury brands and also has major investments in his home country.
His portfolio includes Richemont, one of the world’s largest luxury goods firms, which owns brands like Cartier and Montblanc.
Rupert’s net worth has surged by $1.9 billion to $14.3 billion, placing him at 147th position globally, 12 places ahead of Dangote, whose fortune has dropped by $1.7 billion (£1.3 billion) this year, giving him a net worth of $13.4 billion, reports the BBC, quoting Bloomberg.
The downturn in Dangote’s wealth underscores Nigeria’s challenging economic environment, where his conglomerate primarily operates.
Since President Bola Tinubu assumed office last year, he has introduced several economic reforms in Africa’s most populous nation, including the removal of fuel subsidies, which have contributed to high inflation, currently over 30 per cent.
Tinubu said the reforms were necessary to cut government spending and stimulate long-term growth.
The sharp fall in the value of the naira has significantly affected Dangote, whose wealth is largely tied to assets denominated in naira, Nigeria’s currency.
Dangote made his wealth in the cement and sugar industries – and last year opened an oil refinery in the country’s economic hub, Lagos.
His business empire, the Dangote Group, has also faced numerous setbacks in recent months due to production delays at its refinery and supply chain disruptions.
He was listed by Forbes magazine in January as Africa’s richest man for the 13th year in a row despite the country’s economic difficulties.
But the latest Bloomberg index places him second in Africa and 159th globally.
The rise in Rupert’s net worth was buoyed by strong performances in the luxury goods sector.
As well as the Switzerland-based Richemont, his other holdings include Remgro, a South African investment vehicle with stakes in more than 30 companies, Bloomberg reports.
He inherited the family business from his father, Anton Rupert, and has expanded it from mostly tobacco to become a multi-billion-dollar luxury goods venture.
Rupert attended the University of Stellenbosch to study economics but dropped his studies to join his father’s business in 1984.
He has been vocal about political and environmental issues in South Africa and campaigned against white-minority rule. He has received several awards for his business activities.
The billionaire lives in Cape Town, where he owns a lavish mansion, but he also has properties in Geneva and London.
Nicky Oppenheimer, another South African billionaire, was ranked the third richest person in Africa with a net worth of $11.3 billion, followed by Nassef Sawiris, an Egyptian businessman, with a fortune of $9.48 billion.
South African investor Natie Kirsh completed the top five African billionaires list with $9.22 billion.
Like Forbes, the Bloomberg ranking monitors daily changes in the net worth of the world’s wealthiest individuals.
Previously, Bloomberg had occasionally placed Rupert above Dangote on the African rich list, only for Dangote to bounce back each time.
The title of Africa’s richest person may continue to change hands as market conditions fluctuate and businesses navigate complex challenges.
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